Monday, February 22, 2010

Munster had two players sent to the sin-bin and three injured but they managed to overcome the challenge and beat Edinburgh 19-12 in a competitive Magners League match at Musgrave Park on the weekend.

Paul Warwick went off injured early on so was replaced by young academy player Scott Deasy, who went on to score the best try of the match, with this great individual effort.

Unfortunately for Deasy it wasn’t plain sailing, as he missed five kicks at goal, adding to the pressure Munster were already experiencing from the Edinburgh side.

Edinburgh’s David Blair kicked four penalties and slotted a drop goal, but they were unable to come up with a try as they took home only a losing bonus point from the match.

Alan Quinlan was yellow carded for a ruck offence, and later Lifeimi Mafi was also sin-binned, that time for a tackle off the ball. They held on for the win though, with Deasy’s superb line break and chip and chase proving the difference in the end.

Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat rued the missed chances and lack of killer instinct from his side, citing a strange ten minute period where they should have gone ahead.

"The turning point was when Munster got a yellow card and scored eight points while they were down to fourteen men," Moffat said.

"They just upped their game during that period and were pretty clinical in scoring the try.We created a lot of good chances but didn't take them, and I think that was the difference between the sides.

"Like Munster, we hadn't played for three weeks and I thought that showed in the end. You can expect to be sharp in everything you do if your players haven't played for a month.

"We played well overall and it's just a pity that we didn't come out the other side of it because we quite easily could have. Munster are good at winning close games and they did what they needed to in order to win this one," he added.

Stringer is v fast with the delivery thou, and with a nice big sexton beside him Ireland could be ok in that part of the field: i.e. the combo of O Gara and Stringer in that part of the field is just too small/non defensive these days

Thou he has indeed been making a few mistakes of late: didn't see the Edinburgh match - how was he?

What about Boss, Reddan or Stringer - all have as much in their own way as box kick o leary (and, btw, doesn't reddan look the spit of E from entourage!)

'MCB Stringer is slow, small, weak, has been making loads of mistakes lately, and is even less of a running threat than O'Gara. He really isn't unlucky at all.

Good try though by Deasy. If only he could kick the ball'

.........um what are you talking about? stringer is always at every breakdown and is tough as bloody nails! he is quick at darting through gaps and his size makes it possible!

Ireland were a far more inspiring team when he was scrum half. He has a fantastic quick and accurate delivery and was always going forward, and never afraid to take a fighting stance (not that hitting someone his size would be much of an achievement)

The fact is he can get brushed aside but there is no faulting his willingness to attempt tackles and 95% of the time he is more than successful......

O'gara im sorry to say has gone downhill over the years, he never seemed so shy of they game as he does of late....

What concerns me is the lack of confidence that some Irish backs show when they are in 1-on-1 situations about 30m out. I think D'Archy is fierce guilty of it. Deasy was incredibly lucky in this situation. 10m out no problem but a bit further out and Irish backs aren't showing the balls/gas/feet to beat the last defender or two.

Wow, passes one off the ruck, just guys running straight.The defence doesn't push up, backpedals, drifts and lets the guy thru.One off the ruck, he didn't even have to pass it.yeah, awesome rugby NH. pffft.

Dowling is a beast!He may not be of international quality but i think he's a fantastic player to have in the munster squad week in week out. He makes mistakes from time to time but he almost always gets over the gain line and you definitely can't fault his bravery and commitment!